New research concludes that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of spasticity and paralysis due to stroke. Investigators discovered that acupuncture effectively reduced spastic hemiplegia, paralysis on one side of the body with muscle and tendon spasms, in patients who suffered a stroke. The researchers concluded that acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training is effective for the treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.

This research is consistent with other investigations demonstrating that acupuncture benefits patients have have had a stroke. One recent study concluded that acupuncture stimulates brain cell proliferation in the cerebrum. They discovered that electroacupuncture “exerts a neuroprotective effect in ischemic stroke” and found that acupuncture activates the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway, an important protein communication pathway involved in cell proliferation. The acupuncture points measured in the study were LI11 (Quchi) and ST36 (Zusanli). The investigators concluded that acupuncture “significantly ameliorated neurological deficits and cerebral infarction” in cases of cerebral injuries.

Another recent study concluded, “The evidence from clinical studies suggested that SA (scalp acupuncture) therapy may produce significant benefits for patients with acute ICH [ intracerebral hemorrhages].” The researchers note that studies confirm that scalp acupuncture “has rapid and powerful effects to remove limb paralysis caused either by cerebral infarct or by cerebral haemorrhage….” The researchers note thatf acupuncture points GV20 and GB7 significantly regulate the cascade of endogenous inflammatory chemicals released after a stroke. Additionally, the investigators note that scalp acupuncture at GV20 and Taiyang improves “coordination and compensation functions among cortical functional areas” in ICH patients.

Originally posted on HealthCMI